If you’re in the Portland Oregon area and listen to KPAM Radio on the weekends, then you may have heard a short interview I did with Pat Boyle.
Pat is one of KPAM’s weekday morning anchors who also hosts The Azumano Travel Show, which airs on Saturday mornings with an encore on Sunday mornings.
If you missed it, don’t worry! You can listen to the mp3 right here on Travel Writers Exchange!
Pat’s weekend travel show primarily covers destinations and various aspects of travel, but last weekend she deviated from their normal format to talk with me about the new FTC Blogger Disclosure Guidelines and the impact they are having on travel writers and travel bloggers.
Like most broadcast radio segments, it’s short (only 4 minutes), but Pat asks some great questions and overall I think it’s a pretty good interview.
She doesn’t hold back with her questions, and I think I gave some insightful answers, but overall it reiterates what I’ve already blogged about here on TWE, which is that it boils down to just a few really important points:
- Be sure that you’re disclosing when something you’re writing about was given to you or earns you some compensation;
- Be sure that your disclosure is clear;
- Remember that travelers are relying on you – the travel writer or travel blogger – to provide them with honest and accurate information. They have a right to know if your opinion is possibly biased. A clear disclosure helps your credibility;
I truly believe that travelers don’t care that you’ve been on a sponsored media trip in order to write your travel story. What they care about is whether or not you’re giving an honest opinion about where you went and what you did (or did not) enjoy about it. Be clear when you do accept press trips, and write an honest critique, not an advertorial, and you’ll boost your credibility and gain a reputation as a travel writer or blogger who can be trusted.
~Trisha
Have you changed how you write in response to the new FTC Blogger Disclosure Guidelines?
Great interview. I put a “disclosure” on my blogs just to be safe. I’m very discerning anyway and will not promote a product, service, hotel/resort, etc…that I feel doesn’t add value. I’m honest and people will receive my honest opinion in a very diplomatic way.
The FTC blogger guidelines had gained the attention of different listeners because of its importance and how will it affect their lifestyle.